# Downtown Portland for a few days. Things to see? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127 "2012-04-27T13:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/1 "2012-04-27T13:41:17Z")
I’ll be there for a week-long conference next week, so I won’t have time to do the touristy thing. But I would like to see a few things and get a taste of town. What’s a quintessential Portland restaurant in the downtown area? Is the Pearl District interesting enough in the evenings? I’ll be staying at the Crowne Plaza. Anyone have any cool walking routes (2-3 miles?) they’d like to share? I want to fit in an hour-long hike early in the morning and one in the afternoon every day that I’m there. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/2 "2012-04-27T15:19:32Z")
Do you like books? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/3 "2012-04-27T15:26:59Z")
Do you like naked ladies? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/4 "2012-04-27T16:14:58Z")
First, go online and get up-to-date restaurant and nightlife info from our local weeklies-[_The Willamette Week_](http://www.wweek.com/portland/index.php) and [_The Portland Mercury_](http://www.portlandmercury.com/). If you get a chance, hit the world famous Powell’s Books on 1005 W Burnside downtown. Make sure you get a snapshot of the infamous “Hung Far Low Chinese Restaurant” sign. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/5 "2012-04-27T16:22:30Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Do you like books? That was my first thought! POWELL’S 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/6 "2012-04-27T16:44:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > …the infamous “Hung Far Low Chinese Restaurant” sign. If only Warren Zevon was still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/7 "2012-04-27T16:50:36Z")
[24 Hour Church of Elvis](http://www.24hourchurchofelvis.com/) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/8 "2012-04-27T16:54:11Z")
Just spent a couple of days there last week. Stayed at the Marriot. Walked to Powell’s, enjoyed about five hours of browsing and buying, took the free trolley back to the hotel. Things to see, whether you want to or not- Starbucks. Saw a couple that were literally within a stones throw of each other. . ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/9 "2012-04-27T17:28:45Z")
I already had Powell’s down on my little list, so I’m glad I’m getting confirmation. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/10 "2012-04-27T17:40:04Z")
What is your food and drink of choice? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/11 "2012-04-27T17:53:44Z")
Food = anything except for the very spicy. Or expensive. I will have a per diem, but it’s state government per diem. Drink = I do not drink alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/12 "2012-04-27T19:42:18Z")
Besides the obvious Powell’s, the Leatherman factory (maker of cool pocket tools) is in an industrial area by the airport. You need to reserve a tour. It was very interesting, they have a factory store, but I don’t know how easy it is to get to on public transportation. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/13 "2012-04-27T20:27:31Z")
Cinco de Mayo Festival-May 4-6, downtown waterfront. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/14 "2012-04-28T01:40:27Z")
Take public transit and get yourself some [Voodoo Doughnuts](http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php). [Veritable Quandary](http://www.veritablequandary.com/) is right downtown and has a really good Reuben and other sandwiches; also dinner. Also the [Nel Centro](http://nelcentro.com/) restaurant in the Hotel Modera on 5th. Or just go pig out on the zillion food carts for very little money. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/15 "2012-04-28T01:45:37Z")
Mmmm. Pacific Northwest donuts… ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/16 "2012-04-28T02:22:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Cinco de Mayo Festival-May 4-6, downtown waterfront. I actually started a brief thread about this, and got no replies. I’ll be at the Cinco de Mayo festival on Saturday the 5th for most of the day. I’ve never been, but it sounds like a blast. Wonderful food and great music – battle of the mariachi bands! [hijack] PDX mini Dopefest, anyone?[/hijack] And **monstro** , I will second Powells. Plan to spend several hours drooling. ---
**Author:** ![TheTerribleTako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@TheTerribleTako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTerribleTako)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/17 "2012-04-29T01:21:04Z")
Are you staying at the Crowne Plaza near the convention center? It’s in NE Portland. The area’s not too exciting, but since you’re willing to walk a few miles, I think your options are pretty good. Tasty N Sons is about a mile north or your hotel and serves a really good happy hour food menu (no drinks necessary). In the same neighborhood is Pix Patisserie, one of the best macaron places I’ve tried. A little further north than Tasty N Sons is the Alberta district. Heading south from the convention center is Burnside, Belmont, and Hawthorne, all of which have pretty vibrant communities and really good restaurants. Although I like the Pearl, I actually like the east side neighborhoods a lot better. The vibe of the Pearl is much more commercial, which isn’t a bad thing, but I find the east side neighborhoods more charming. For a true Portland experience, try some of the food carts if you stumble past them. They’re clustered in pods around the city. [This](http://www.foodcartsportland.com/) is the definitive website on food carts in Portland. I like Veritable Quandry as well. It’s at the west end of the Hawthorne bridge and has a terrific view. Food is good and a short skip away from the waterfront park. Oh yes, and Powell’s too. There are also two Powell’s locations on Hawthorne. Hope you have a great time in Portland! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/18 "2012-04-29T02:09:39Z")
Have dinner at [McMenamins](http://www.mcmenamins.com/). They have numerous locations around town. I particularly liked taking people to their [Kennedy School location](http://www.mcmenamins.com/427-kennedy-school-home). A bar and restaurant in a turn of the century elementary school in a regular neighborhood. Used to blow my guests minds. If you want to blow your per diem one night, several blocks up the street from Powell’s is the Ringside steakhouse, which claims to be one of the best steakhouses in country. I’ve eaten there, and they could be right about that. To get there walk out on Burnside, look up the hill, you will see Jim Fisher Volvo (huge sign) the Ringside is across the street. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/19 "2012-04-29T02:48:38Z")
I spent some time there a few years ago. The big pink offers a wonderful view of the city and the river. It’s walking distance from Powells. Have fun. It’s a very nice place. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127/20 "2012-04-29T02:52:43Z")
Japanese Gardens (easy short bus trip from downtown). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downtown-portland-for-a-few-days-things-to-see/620127.md?page=2)